Spring. Bunnies. New life. Chocolate. Colored eggs. Going to church. Easter. What's missing? The message of the cross and the hope in the resurrection of Christ Jesus!
We spent Holy Saturday with my family and some relatives. The Chinese food was delicious, rich and plentiful. On Easter, I helped with Sunday School, and Daddy and Iris came to worship service after that. For Easter dinner, we enjoyed a potluck dinner with friends from church, as well as a visiting missionary couple who live and teach in Colombia. Iris was thrilled to eat and play with two older "jie-jie" from church. The fellowship and gastronomical satisfaction couldn't be beat. The memorable part of the day for me was the profile of faith given by a godly woman whom I admire at my church. She spoke of past suffering that became her personal Easter story of death and new hope in life with Christ. So, where am I going with this?
On Good Friday a dear older church friend (Ruth) died suddenly. She had been ill and I wanted to send her an Easter card or at least visit. Now, she has gone onto be with Jesus and her husband who went to heaven several years ago. I'm sad that I won't get to see her in her earthly body, nor talk to her about faith in Jesus, life, and families. Yet, I'm so thankful that God brought us together in friendship and in the pursuit of the One who died and rose again to bring salvation to the world. Grief turns to Joy. That is the gospel, as well as the Easter message. Sadness and suffering makes the coming through all the more joyous and sweet. For me, these are reminders that awaken my soul, mind and heart to the love of Christ and the promise of eternity with God. Hallelujah!
This morning, I opened up my daily e-devotional based on writer Henri Nouwen. Here's what I read:
Meditation for Easter Monday
The cross is the main symbol of our
faith, and it invites us to find hope where we see pain and to reaffirm
the resurrection where we see death. The call to be grateful is a call
to trust that every moment of our life can be claimed as the way of the
cross that leads to new life. Can we be grateful for everything that has
happened in our life - not just the good things but for all that has
brought us to today?
In the world's eyes, there is an enormous distinction between good
times and bad, between sorrow and joy. But in the eyes of God, they are
never separated. Our ministry is to help people gradually let go of
their resentment and discover that right in the middle of suffering
there is blessing. Where there is pain, there is healing. Where there is
mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the
Kingdom of God.
An excerpt from THE HENRI NOUWEN SPIRITUALITY SERIES, A Spirituality of Living by
Henri J.M. Nouwen. Copyright © 2011 The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust.
Published by Upper Room Books. Used with the kind permission of The
Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust.
Collect the Henri Nouwen Spirituality Series
IF you are suffering, ruminating over offenses, or unable to let go of anger, I pray that you'll be encouraged this day and the years to come as you seek the Creator God who loves you.
